Amarilloans set up new headquarters

About 20 people showed up to help clean and set up Potter/Randall County Democratic Headquarters at Polk Street and 18th Avenue in preparation for its Thursday opening.

And Democrats hope they see their numbers grow as they ride the high of the national convention and head toward the presidential election in November.

"This time they see a better reason to come out and vote," said Roberta Hicks, committee chairwoman for the 31st Senatorial District. "We have to present a united front and support the party nominee."

Democratic Party officials said they're seeing an almost unprecedented amount of interest of party members in this presidential election.

At a meeting of the Potter/Randall County Democratic Club on Monday, about 100 people showed up when usually only 30 come, President Abel Bosquez said.

Many Democrats are particularly impassioned because of the thought of another four years of President George W. Bush, party officials said.

"Bush has done us a real favor," said Charles Morehead, chairman of the Randall County Democratic Party. "He's motivated a lot of old Democrats into action - and a bunch of new ones."

Morehead added that 65 percent of those who attended the Randall County Convention had never been before.

The headquarters will open Thursday, the last day of the national convention. A gathering will start at 5:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., participants will hear a conference call with Sen. John Edwards.

Then they'll watch Sen. John Kerry's speech about 8 p.m.

Anyone interested in supporting Kerry is welcome, said Rosalyn Wolfe, a former president of the Democratic Club. So far, she and her fellow Democrats are pleased with the national convention, especially by the opening speeches Monday by Sen. Hillary Clinton and former president Bill Clinton.

"They used stark language and stark comparisons," Wolfe said. "Making these points will do exactly that. I hope the differences will help (undecided voters) see on which side their basic interests lie."

After the convention kickoff party, the local headquarters will offer a place to pick up campaign materials or just ask for information.

The party will focus on two local elections, said Tim Hoffman, Potter County Democratic chairman. One will be Elaine King Miller's run for state senator in the 31st District, and the other will be for the re-election of State District Judge Abe Lopez from the 108th Judicial District.

Even with increased activism, some may think trying to sway the Panhandle to the political left is futile. Local Democrats disagree.

"It's fun to be passionate," said Paul Matney, adviser for the College Democrats at Amarillo College. "It's important to have diversity of thought and participate in the political process - regardless of party affiliation."

For information from the Democratic Headquarters, call 379-9230, 379-9279 or 379-9286.